This page includes a collection of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe news, reviews and events. We appreciate the journalists who are helping to spread awareness of our work and foster an appreciation for the arts in our community. We update this page frequently, so be sure to check back often.

If you are a member of the media seeking materials from our press kit, or if you have a photo and/or an interview request, please contact our PR department at (941) 366-1505, ext. 805 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


September 26, 2023 "Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe awards six WBTT Artist Development scholarships" - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2023/09/26/six-students-receive-wbtt-artist-development-scholarship-awards/70890539007/

September 26, 2023 "Critics picks for Sarasota's new live theater season" - Marty Fugate, Observer Group
https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2023/sep/26/critics-picks-live-theater/

September 25, 2023 "Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s 2023-2024 Season Opens with ‘Once On This Island’" - SCENE Magazine
https://scenesarasota.com/magazine/westcoast-black-theatre-troupes-2023-2024-season-opens-with-once-on-this-island/

September 22, 2023 "The Jose Ramirez Band Returns to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe" - Dylan Campbell, SRQ Magazine
https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2023-09-22/22566_The-Jose-Ramirez-Band-Returns-to-Westcoast-Black-Theatre-Troupe

September 14, 2023 "Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe welcomes back the Jose Ramirez Band" - Tampa Bay Newswire
https://www.tampabaynewswire.com/2023/09/14/westcoast-black-theatre-troupe-welcomes-back-the-jose-ramirez-band-121621

September 11, 2023 "Tickets Now on Sale for WBTT’s Fall Gala" - Sarasota SCENE
https://scenesarasota.com/magazine/tickets-now-on-sale-for-wbtts-fall-gala/

September 10, 2023 "WBTT To Offer African Dance, Improv Classes This Fall" - Broadway World Sarasota
https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwdance/article/WBTT-To-Offer-African-Dance-Improv-Classes-This-Fall-20230910

September 7, 2023 "WBTT Awards Scholarships" - Tempo News
Front page takeover!
https://temponews.suncoastpress.com/scp/tnw-090723/flipbook/1/ 

September 7, 2023 "What to Do in Sarasota This Weekend" - Cooper Levey-Baker, Sarasota Magazine
Jalen Baker Quartet is an "editor's pick" in the listing
https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/arts-and-entertainment/things-to-do-sarasota

September 1, 2023 "Acts of Brilliance: Visionary Nate Jacobs and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe" - Joshua Thomas Bray, SCENE Magazine
https://scenesarasota.com/magazine/spotlight-acts-of-brilliance-visionary-nate-jacobs-and-westcoast-black-theatre-troupe/

August 23, 2023 "WBTT, Modern Marimba present the Jalen Baker Quartet" Tampa Bay Newswire
https://www.tampabaynewswire.com/2023/08/23/wbtt-modern-marimba-present-the-jalen-baker-quartet-121094

August 21, 2023 "Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Seeks Local Support During Give 8/28" - Blair Ingenthron, Broadway World Sarasota
https://www.broadwayworld.com/sarasota/article/Westcoast-Black-Theatre-Troupe-Seeks-Local-Support-During-Give-828-20230821

August 19, 2023 "They Call it the Cultural Coast for a Reason" - Phillip Lanham, Gulf Coast Community Foundation
New-ish GCCF president and CEO talks about Arts Appreciation grants, includes WBTT/"Ruby" in his column celebrating our local arts community
https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2023-08-19/22348_They-Call-it-the-Cultural-Coast-for-a-Reason

August 18, 2023 "Amid national theater crisis Sarasota arts groups are thriving after COVID losses" - Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/arts/2023/08/18/as-national-theaters-face-crisis-sarasota-arts-groups-are-thriving/70597511007/

August 15, 2023 "The Talented Bolds Brothers bring their music to the Suncoast" - Suncoast View, WWSB ABC7
https://www.mysuncoast.com/video/2023/08/15/talented-bonds-brothers-bring-their-music-suncoast-suncoast-view-august-15-2023/